Being the majority among gamers doesn't guarantee a place among those who work in the games industry. According to... Game Brazil Research 2025A survey conducted with 6,282 Brazilians from different regions found that 53.21% of the digital gaming audience in the country is female. On the other hand, according to a survey by AbragamesHowever, they represent only 15% of the professionals in the sector. This gap between consumption and employment is no coincidence. It has a name: it's structure.
For many women who want to transition their careers to gaming, the obstacle isn't enjoying gaming. It's knowing how to transform their knowledge, experience, and skills into professional positioning within an industry that seems closed off from the outside. The good news is that this transition exists, and it doesn't require starting from scratch.
You don't need to abandon who you already are to build a space for yourself within the gaming industry.
How to make a career transition to gaming
Migrating to the gaming industry doesn't mean erasing everything you've built professionally. In practice, companies in the sector seek professionals who combine market experience with strategic vision and an understanding of gamer culture. The more you understand where your skills already connect with this ecosystem, the more realistic and sustainable the transition becomes.
The process, in most cases, goes through five central movements:
- Identify in which area your experience makes sense within the industry.
- Adapt your professional positioning to the gaming context.
- Build a portfolio with real or original projects.
- Establish a network within the community before your first formal job opening.
- Enter gradually, without immediately depending on a complete migration.
None of these steps require you to abandon your current career today. What changes is the perspective: you're not starting over, you're translating.
What changes when you enter the gaming industry?
The main change when entering the gaming industry isn't just in the roles, but in the dynamics of the sector. Unlike more traditional markets, the gaming industry operates at an accelerated pace, connected to community, digital culture, and online behavior. Trends move quickly, platforms evolve constantly, and networking often opens doors long before formal selection processes.
For professionals coming from outside the industry, this means learning not only new skills, but also a new way of positioning themselves. Instead of rigid structures, the gaming market values collaboration, digital presence, communication, and adaptability. And that's precisely where many previous experiences begin to gain value.
📊 Check out the analysis of the Brazilian gaming market in 2026, with real data and what companies are hiring for today:
How to get started without abandoning your current career.
One of the safest ways to make the transition is to enter the sector gradually, without needing a radical change in income or routine. This gradual approach reduces financial pressure, allows you to test different areas, and helps you develop practical experience before making a permanent move.
Many people start by creating side projects, participating in communities, developing content, doing freelance work, or collaborating on smaller initiatives within the industry. Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity to appear, professionals entering the sector typically build their presence and relationships gradually, until doors open from within.
For women who still feel insecure in predominantly male gaming environments, starting slowly has another benefit: time to develop a more secure network, gain confidence, and build experience within the community before exposing themselves to competitive selection processes.
Skills that can be leveraged
One of the biggest mistakes when transitioning to a gaming career is believing that everything you've built professionally loses value when entering the industry. In practice, the gaming market absorbs professionals from a wide variety of fields, mainly in communication, business, community, and operations.
According to data collected by My PlayStation68.31% of industry professionals consider content creation one of the most promising areas in gaming. This shows that skills related to communication, storytelling, and digital presence have a real place within the industry.
| Previous experience | How it works in the gaming market | Types of employers |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | Campaigns for games, creator management, branding, digital media | Publishers, gaming agencies, esports organizations |
| Social media | Management of networks for teams, streamers, championships, and gaming brands. | Esports teams, gaming brands, creators |
| HR and recruitment | Talent acquisition, organizational culture, team development | Studios, publishers, organizations |
| Events | Organization of championships, activations, fairs and in-person experiences. | Event organizers, publishers, brands |
| Design | Content for social media, visual identities, overlays, and campaigns. | Agencies, studios, esports teams |
| Audio-visual | Video editing, event coverage, stream production | Production companies, creators, organizations |
| Project management | Team coordination, operations, campaign calendar. | Studios, publishers, organizations |
| Data and analysis | Campaign metrics, community behavior, content performance | Platforms, brands, agencies |
| Communication and writing | Content creation, scripts, championship coverage, brand storytelling. | Portals, organizations, agencies |
Even less technical skills make a difference. Organization, leadership, communication, and adaptability are highly valued in companies that work with digital environments, creators, and communities.
What is the gaming market like today?
For a long time, working with games was exclusively associated with game development or a career as a pro-player. Today, the gaming industry has transformed into a much broader ecosystem, connecting entertainment, technology, creators, events, streaming, communities, and business all at once.
According to Apex BrasilThe number of national studios grew by 683.4% in ten years, going from 133 in 2014 to 1,042 in 2024. This growth didn't just happen on the game production side. It expanded the demand for professionals in marketing, audiovisual, community management, data, operations, content, branding, and digital relationship management throughout the entire ecosystem.
What areas exist in the sector?
The gaming market offers opportunities in a wide variety of areas. Many of these are accessible to professionals with experience in other fields, without requiring specific technical training in games.
| Area | How it works in the gaming industry |
|---|---|
| Community management | Community management, Discord, and audience engagement. |
| Gaming marketing | Campaigns, creators, branding and digital media |
| E-sports | Operation of championships, teams and competitive content. |
| Content production | Social media, videos, scripts, and event coverage. |
| Audio-visual | Editing, streaming, broadcasting, and cross-platform content. |
| Events | Trade shows, activations, championships and in-person experiences |
| Data and BI | Audience metrics, campaigns, and behavior |
| Commercial and partnerships | Sponsorships, creators, and brand relationships. |
| HR and management | Recruitment, organizational culture, and team development. |
How the market has grown in recent years
The growth of streaming, esports, and the creator economy has accelerated the professionalization of the gaming industry in Brazil. Platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok have transformed creators and communities into a central part of the market, while Valorant, LoL, CS, and Free Fire championships have begun to attract audiences of millions. According to... Game Brazil Research 202582.81% of Brazilians say they play digital games, the highest percentage ever recorded since the study began in 2013.
With this growth, companies in the sector have begun seeking professionals prepared to work with community, content, operations, digital influence, and audience experience. The more the sector expands, the greater the need for multidisciplinary teams within the industry.
What companies are looking for
Technical skills remain important. But companies in the gaming market increasingly value professionals with good communication, adaptability, collaboration, and strategic vision, precisely because the industry operates at a fast pace and depends heavily on the relationship between the community, creators, brands, and teams.
Knowing how to build a professional presence and understanding digital culture can make as much of a difference as certificates or technical courses. In many cases, professionals who manage to combine market knowledge with an understanding of the gaming ecosystem end up standing out more quickly.
How to enter the gaming market in practice.
Entering the gaming industry rarely happens solely out of passion or content consumption. In most cases, professionals who thrive in the sector begin by building practical experience, a professional presence, and a repertoire within the community even before their first formal opportunity arises.
This doesn't mean having years of experience in gaming from the start. The most important thing is learning how to adapt your skills to the industry context and demonstrating, in a concrete way, that you can generate value within this market.
🎯 Watch the HR tips on how to stand out in selection processes within the gaming industry:
Courses, college, or self-taught?
There is no single mandatory path to enter the gaming market. Some areas value academic training, while others prioritize portfolio, practical experience, and execution skills. In roles related to content, community, marketing, and creators, results often weigh more than isolated degrees.
Studying remains important for accelerating technical learning and understanding of the industry. The most common mistake is spending months consuming courses without transforming knowledge into real-world practice. In the gaming market, learning and application go hand in hand, especially in areas that depend on creativity, community, and rapid adaptation.
How to create a portfolio
A portfolio serves as practical proof of your professional skills, even without formal industry experience. More than just showcasing your knowledge, it helps companies and teams understand how you think, execute ideas, and position yourself within the gaming ecosystem. Some concrete possibilities include:
- Coverage of championships and events: Producing analyses, posts, videos, or content about championships demonstrates an understanding of the competitive landscape, communication skills, and constant monitoring of the industry.
- Gamer social media projects: Creating themed profiles, fictional campaigns, or content calendars demonstrates the ability to work with community, branding, and digital language geared towards a gaming audience.
- Video content and short formats: Reels, TikToks, Shorts, and analytical videos help validate communication, editing, creativity, and the interpretation of trends in the creator economy.
- Design and visual identity: Artwork for fictional teams, overlays, thumbnails, or campaigns demonstrates the practical application of design within a gaming context.
- Collaborative communities and projects: Participating in Discord communities, organizing initiatives, or collaborating with creators develops networking, practical experience, and professional relationships.
- Market analysis and strategic content: Producing articles and analyses about games, creators, and esports demonstrates strategic vision and a deeper understanding of the industry.
Many people wait for their first opportunity before starting to build experience. In the gaming market, the process usually works the other way around: personal projects, networking, and professional presence open the first doors before formal hiring.
Many people wait until they feel ready to start. In the gaming market, confidence usually comes after practice, not before.
Networking and early opportunities
In the gaming market, networking opens doors long before traditional selection processes. A large portion of opportunities first circulate among communities, creators, events, teams, and professional connections built over time. Therefore, building relationships within the sector is just as important as developing technical skills.
Participating in events, interacting in communities, following creators, strengthening LinkedIn, and building a digital presence increases visibility within the industry. For many women, this process also reduces feelings of isolation in still very male-dominated environments. Spaces focused on connection, development, and community, such as... WIBR Talent WallThey function as exchange points, networking opportunities, and ways to connect with real market opportunities.
How to grow professionally in the gaming industry.
Entering the gaming market is just the beginning. After the initial experiences, professional growth becomes much more dependent on positioning, relationships, and strategic vision than solely on technical execution. In an industry so connected to community, creators, and digital trends, professionals who build relevance tend to grow faster.
Difference between technical and strategic profile
Technical professionals are fundamental within the gaming industry. They are the ones who execute campaigns, produce content, organize operations, edit videos, manage communities, and keep projects running daily. As the career evolves, however, other factors begin to gain importance.
A strategic profile is one that can see the impact of their work beyond their own function. Instead of just performing a task, this person understands how the community, creators, positioning, brand, and business objectives connect within the gaming ecosystem.
| Technical profile | Strategic profile |
|---|---|
| Greater focus on execution. | Greater focus on business vision and growth. |
| Works directly on operational tasks. | Understands the impact of decisions on the ecosystem. |
| Specialization in tools and processes | It integrates communication, community, and strategy. |
| Prioritizes practical delivery and efficiency. | It prioritizes positioning, results, and direction. |
| Growth based on technical capability | Growth based on influence and leadership. |
| Works on specific demands. | It connects different areas and teams. |
Combining technical execution with strategic vision is what tends to accelerate growth within the industry. The market seeks people capable of solving problems, collaborating across departments, and contributing to the development of the ecosystem as a whole.
How to develop leadership in the sector
Leadership in the gaming market doesn't necessarily begin with a management position. In many cases, it emerges earlier, through how a person communicates, participates in the community, organizes projects, and builds relationships within the ecosystem. In an industry so connected to networking and digital presence, professional influence often carries more weight than many people imagine.
Leadership also involves trust, collaboration, and the ability to generate a positive impact within teams and communities. People who share knowledge, help other professionals, and actively participate in the sector end up becoming role models, even without formal management positions.
For many women, this process includes facing job insecurity and a feeling of not belonging in still very male-dominated environments. Building visibility consistently and strengthening support networks helps create more sustainable opportunities in the long term.
Professional positioning and visibility
In the gaming market, being good at what you do isn't enough if nobody knows your work. Digital presence, networking, and professional positioning carry enormous weight in an industry highly connected to creators, community, and online relationships. Professional positioning can start simply:
- Sharing projects and processes on social networks
- Discussing industry trends within a real-world context.
- Participate in discussions in communities and forums.
- Strengthen your LinkedIn profile with gaming expertise.
- Strategically showcasing behind-the-scenes aspects of the work.
- Creating genuine connections within the community
Over time, this presence increases visibility, builds professional reputation, and opens doors to opportunities that often don't even get to be publicly announced.
Do women still face barriers in the gaming industry?
The problem isn't just getting in. It's staying in.
According to Game Brazil Research 2025Women make up 53.21% of the gaming audience in Brazil. This information comes from a survey by... AbragamesHowever, it is noted that they represent only 15% of the industry's professionals. This difference is not accidental.
A study of Reach3 Insights in partnership with Lenovo The data shows that 59% of female gamers often hide their gender during online matches to avoid harassment. In the competitive scene, the environment still presents structural inequalities. Luiza Trindade, e-sports manager at Team Solid, sums it up well: “Recognition is the most difficult part of a female gamer's career. There is still enormous distrust regarding the quality of female gamers' work. Furthermore, the prize money in women's championships is often low, which makes it impossible to maintain a strong competitive scene,” she stated in an interview with [source missing]. Brazilian School of Games.
For those in career transition, this scenario has a direct impact. Unwelcoming environments drive away talent even before the first opportunities arise, and the cost of this is not just individual: it's a market that loses diversity of perspective, leadership, and decision-making.
On the other hand, the growth of female communities, creators, inclusion initiatives, and projects focused on professional development is creating safer spaces for exchange, learning, and connection. This increases visibility, strengthens the support network, and brings more women closer to real opportunities within the gaming ecosystem. As Anelise Soares Velame, Senior Brand Partnerships Manager LATAM at Ubisoft, points out in an interview with [source missing]. Terra GameOn"The challenges are significant, since the market has always been predominantly male, but the progress is real."
More than just increasing representation, this movement changes the way the industry develops. The more diverse perspectives involved in building communities, products, content, and leadership, the more sustainable and prepared the gaming market becomes for solid growth.
🎙️ Discover the movement that is expanding female representation in gaming and understand why WIBR exists:
The main mistakes in career transition
Making a career transition to gaming requires planning, adaptation, and gradual building. Much of the frustration stems from the romanticization of the sector on social media. The industry can offer concrete opportunities, but it also demands preparation, positioning, networking, and continuous development.
Lack of planning
One of the most common mistakes is abandoning your current career without building a minimum foundation within the gaming industry. Many people enter the sector believing that a passion for games will be enough to generate quick opportunities, but the market usually works in a much more gradual way.
Planning reduces financial pressure, allows you to develop practical experience, and build a network before becoming fully dependent on the new field. Starting gradually makes the transition safer and avoids frustration in the first few months.
Lack of networking
The gaming market thrives on community, relationships, and professional presence. Trying to enter the sector without building a network severely limits access to important opportunities, projects, and connections within the industry.
Networking isn't just about knowing influential people. In practice, it involves participating in communities, attending events, interacting with industry professionals, and building a genuine presence over time. Many opportunities arise precisely from these connections created within the ecosystem.
Unrealistic expectations about the market
Another common misconception is that working in the gaming industry means living in a relaxed, creative environment without professional pressure. While the industry has a strong connection to entertainment and digital culture, it remains a competitive, fast-paced, and results-oriented market.
Professional growth requires consistency, constant updating, and adaptability. Professionals who thrive in the sector understand that a gaming career isn't built solely on passion for the gaming world, but also on positioning, strategy, and continuous professional development.
How to accelerate your career in the gaming market.
After entering the industry, growth tends to happen faster for those who build a presence, relationships, and active participation within the gaming ecosystem. In a market so connected to community, creators, and networking, many opportunities arise from professional visibility and connections developed over time.
Here are some actions that help speed up this process:
- Participate in events and championships: Attending trade shows, meetups, and tournaments increases visibility even before holding a formal position in the industry.
- Building networks in communities: Discord, LinkedIn, and professional groups are where many job postings circulate before becoming public selection processes.
- Strengthen your LinkedIn and digital presence: An updated profile showcasing real projects attracts recruiters and sparks conversations within the industry.
- Follow creators and industry trends: Understanding real-time market movements helps anticipate opportunities and position your profile more accurately.
- Producing content about the gaming market: Analyses, behind-the-scenes insights, and personal perspectives build authority and make your profile more visible to companies in the sector.
- Participate in collaborative projects: Working with other professionals in the community generates portfolio development, relationships, and practical experience simultaneously.
- Develop a strategic repertoire that goes beyond the technical area: Understanding how your work impacts the community, brand, and business differentiates technical professionals from strategic ones.
For those who want to grow in the sector with more support and connection, the WIBR Talent Wall It brings together profiles of women from all over Brazil who are seeking opportunities within the gaming market, connecting visibility, training, and employability in a single space.
The next step within the gaming industry
Making a career transition to gaming doesn't mean starting from scratch. It means learning how to transform already developed skills into value within an industry that needs professionals from different areas, especially people capable of connecting community, communication, strategy, and digital experience within the ecosystem.
Building a sustainable career in gaming requires planning, networking, professional presence, and gradual development. The big difference isn't having "enough gamer profile," but understanding how your experience can create opportunities within this market. The transition is much more solid when it's no longer seen as a leap in the dark but is built with strategy, positioning, and a sense of professional belonging.
Want to take the next step? Register your profile on WIBR Talent Wall and put your career path on the radar of companies and organizations seeking female talent for the gaming market.
FAQ
The transition happens more safely with planning, gradual skill development, and networking within the industry. The process typically involves adapting previous professional experience, creating a portfolio, and actively participating in communities and projects related to the gaming market.
Not necessarily. Some fields value academic training, but many companies analyze portfolio, practical experience, and execution skills. In sectors related to content, community, marketing, and creators, results and professional presence usually carry significant weight.
The gaming market offers opportunities in marketing, community management, audiovisual production, esports, events, branding, data, operations, UX, business, and talent management. The industry goes far beyond programming or a career as a pro-player.
One of the most common ways to start is by building your own projects, portfolio, and network within the community. Participating in events, creating content, collaborating with creators, and developing a professional presence helps build practical experience before the first formal opportunities arise.
Yes. The gaming market attracts professionals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, primarily in roles related to strategy, business, communication, operations, and community. In many cases, prior professional experience becomes a significant advantage within the industry.
Growth typically occurs through a combination of technical execution, networking, positioning, and strategic vision. Participating in the community, building a digital presence, and developing relationships within the industry helps accelerate growth opportunities in the gaming market.
Women make up 53.21% of the gaming audience in Brazil, according to the 2025 Game Brasil Survey, but represent only 15% of professionals in the sector, according to Abragames. There are real structural challenges, but inclusion initiatives, communities, and platforms like WIBR are expanding access to opportunities and strengthening female networking within the industry.



